On Wednesday 18 October 2017, Keele University held a reception together with the Constellation Partnership at the Institute of Engineering and Technology in London, as part of MIPIM UK, which allowed the University to showcase investment opportunities for businesses wanting to inwardly invest to Staffordshire.

The Constellation Partnership, spanning areas of Cheshire and Staffordshire, aims to deliver more than 100,000 new homes and 120,000 new jobs by 2040. One of the six strategic sites within the Constellation Partnership is Keele University Science and Innovation Park.

With a number of investment and development-ready plots, the Park has the potential to add an additional 1.5million sq.ft of first-class business accommodation to the local area.

Keele University is driving ahead to realise the full potential of its Science & Innovation Park, which already hosts a range of science-based companies working in smart energy networks, technical ceramics and digital technologies across five Innovation Centres and two Manufacturing Facilities, including Innovation Centre 5 - funded by Staffordshire County Council. The University has an ambition to significantly grow its established collaborative community of companies who share its commitment to innovation-driven growth.

Outlining the future ambitions for development on the Science Park, Dr Mark Bacon, Director of Research, Innovation and Engagement at Keele University, said: “At Keele University, we’ve proved that the combination of our world-leading research, high quality business and laboratory space is a winning formula for boosting the economy. Our pace of development has accelerated dramatically in the last three years and we’re excited to be able to offer new opportunities to potential partners.”

The vision for Keele University’s Science & Innovation Park 2040 foresees continued growth in business engagement, and the facilities to enable this - including collaborative R&D facilities with industry, and a wider programme of development which could include additional student, retail and leisure facilities driven by renewable energy supplies from Europe’s first at scale smart energy demonstration project. The University’s vision is part of an evolving spatial masterplan for Keele and the surrounding area with the opportunities afforded by connectivity to HS2 and the M6. This week, Keele University was highlighted in a new report by Universities UK as one of five case studies on how universities play a critical role in their local economy.

Jackie Sedek, Independent Chair of the Constellation Partnership (pictured with Dr Mark Bacon), said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting a reception in partnership with Keele University to showcase the opportunities available to businesses at a premier Science Park located within the heart of a world-leading and internationally renowned research university. The site provides a dynamic environment designed to maximise knowledge exchange between business and academia.”

Duncan Sutherland, Non-Executive Board Member at HS2 who attended the reception, added: “HS2 is reinvigorating the economic landscape of the West Midlands and North West, which means business interest in these areas will be set to grow rapidly. This means a boost to investment opportunities, benefits to local communities as well as creating a top place to do business.”

For more information about the opportunities available, please contact Keele University’s Business Gateway team on 01782 733001 or email business.gateway@keele.ac.uk.